Hi John,

We want to keep you informed about a crucial piece of legislation awaiting Governor Hochul’s decision: S.8152A/A.8878. This bill, which has passed both the New York State Senate and Assembly, aims to decouple child care assistance from parents’ work hours, making it easier for families, especially those with part-time or unpredictable schedules, to access essential child care.

Here are a few reasons why this legislation matters:

Accessibility - Under current New York State Law, child care assistance is tied to parents’ exact work hours, creating unnecessary challenges for those in the gig economy, with fluctuating schedules, or who are unhoused.
Stability - This bill would ensure that children receive consistent care regardless of their parents’ work schedules, promoting a stable environment that is critical for their early development.
Legislative Support - This bill has been passed by the Legislature with overwhelming support for two consecutive years. However, despite being included in the one-house budgets, it has consistently been excluded from the final budget, both times due to Governor Hochul’s actions.

Governor Hochul has until December 2024 to sign this bill, though she can act immediately. Given her previous veto and inaction, it’s crucial that we, as concerned constituents, advocate for swift action to prevent further delay.

Passing this bill would be a significant step toward achieving universal child care in New York State. It aligns with our broader fight for racial and economic justice, ensuring every child has access to the resources they need to thrive.

We urge you to stay engaged and support this vital legislation. Moving New York State toward truly universal child care will benefit the equity experienced across our public school systems and enrich the future of our communities.

Thank you for your commitment and solidarity with this work.

Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari
Co-Executive Director
Alliance for Quality Education